Question

In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idioms/phrases underlined. You are required to choose the correct meaning of the idioms/phrases given.
In doldrums
A. Dull
B. bright
C. uncertain
D. secure

Answer 1

Hint: An idiom is the phrase or expression with a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to it; however, some phrases may become figurative idioms while retaining their literal meaning. An idiom's figurative meaning differs from its literal meaning that is known as formulaic language. Unlike a complete sentence, a phrase does not have a subject or a verb. They are the units of a complete sentence, but they do not express a complete sentence.

Complete answer:
In doldrums the phrase means depressed; dull and listless.
For example,
Dean's in the doldrums for most of every winter. In this expression alludes to the maritime doldrums, a belt of calms and light winds north of the equator in which the sailing ships were often becalmed.
Recent economic doldrums have damaged the rural west.
Option A) Dull – Dull means a lack or loss of keenness, it cannot be an idiom or a phrase to the given sentence. Hence, option A is incorrect.
Option B) Bright - Bright means shining with light and it cannot be an idiom or a phrase to the given sentence. Hence, option B is incorrect.
Option C) Uncertain – Doldrums here means in an uncertain situation and “uncertain” is the idiom/ phrase in the given sentence. Hence, option C uncertain is the correct answer.
Option D) secure – Secure is an idiom of safe, protected. Thus, it cannot be an idiom or a phrase to the given sentence. Hence, option D is incorrect.

Thus the correct answer is option (C) uncertain.

Note: In linguistics, idioms are a useful tool. They give the prose more life and colour. Rather than boring paragraphs, it allows the authors to play with words and make it an interesting read. Idioms are used in stories, poems, and even spoken words. The origins of these idioms were not always clear, and they're assumed to have come from stories and creative writing, and they've evolved over time.